Hopper for selectively dispensing tube bases



W. T. ENGEL Hom-ER FOR SELECTIVELY DISPENSING TUBE BASES med sept. 16, 1948 v Sfmt. 9, 1952 3 sheets-sheet 1 "wggiiglillgfllllllllll Snventor WILLIAM 'E ENEEL BBW I I Y I I. l 1' Gttorneg Sept. 9, 1952 w. T. ENGEL HOPPER FOR SELECTIVELY DISPENSING TUBE BASES Filed Sept. 16, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet Bnventor WILLIAM T. ENEEL B5 v W n Mmm Sept. 9, 1952. w. T. ENGEL 2,609,912

HOPPER FOR SELECTIVELY DISPENSING TUBE BASES Filed Sept. 16, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 ffy-f2- l WILLIAM T. ENGEL Gtorncg Patented Sept. 9, 1952 HOPPER FOR SELECTIVELY DISPENSING TUBE BASES Y William T. Engel, Union, N. J., assgnor to Radio `Corporation of America,

Delaware a corporation of Application September 16, 1948, Serial No. 49,514

6 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to conveyors and more particularly to a conveyor system for transporting and suitably orienting irregularly shaped objects taken from a random pile and delivered to a point of utilization in a predeterminedposia tion.

Some irregularly shaped objects, such as bases for certain types of electron tubes, include a round iiat portion` from one face of which contact pins and a locating lug extend, the opposite face being substantially free from any protuberance. Some operations to which such bases are subjected include the step oi inserting a metallic shielding member of non-symmetrical configuration into a space provided in the locating lug of the base.` This shield is provided with an arm which is required to` engage the end portion of a particular contact pin communicating with the fiat unobstructed face of the base.

Heretofore it has been the practice for an operator to pick up a base and a shield member and manually turn either one or both of them in several planes until they are in appropriate positions for the shield insertingoperation. This practice is time consumingiand tiresome for the operator and adds to the cost of the finished product. While these disadvantages of a hand operation have long been recognized, the problems associated with the use of an automatic conveyor system for avoiding these disadvantages have been difficult of solution.

For example, where tube bases are concerned, not only is it necessary that the bases present their iiat unobstructed faces to the operator but that the contact pins thereof be radially `disposed in a predetermined manner so that the contact pin to be connected to the arm of the shield is always in the same direction from a predetermined reference member on the bases and from the operator.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a conveyor system for'irregularly shaped objects having one flat face whereby the objects are first automatically oriented with respect to their at face and subsequently automatically positioned in such a manner that a predetermined radius of said objects extends in the same direction froma reference point on the objects.

A'further object is to provide a conveyor system forpicking objects from a hopper with one face of the objects lying in a common plane and delivering the objects withv a peripheral reference member on said face in always the same position with respect to an operator. l

' Another Objectis-to provide a conveyor system having a belt for transporting objects picked objects in a predetermined position with respect to a reference face thereon, and a means on said track for rotating the objects on an axis normal to said face thereof, for further `orienting the objects with respect to an operator;

An additional object is to provide a conveyor system having an overflow means between two elements thereof whereby an excessive capacity of one element does not overtax the capacity of the other element or jam thesystem.

A further object is to provide a conveyor 'system having a belt of a variable capacity for picking up objects from a hopper, and a track having a constant capacity to which said objects are delivered and an overflow means between said belt and track.

Another object is to` provide a conveyor system having an element wherein irregularly shaped objects are picked up and suitably oriented in one plane by a gravitational force thereon.

A further objectis to orient irregularly shaped objects in one plane by gravitational forces and in another plane by mechanical means.

An additional object is to provide a` conveyor system wherein a portion of the travel of objects conveyed thereby is accomplished by gravity and another portion of the travel results from mechanically applied forces.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. Y i

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the conveyor system of the invention;`

Figure 2 shows a fragmentary front view of a portion of the conveyor with special attention directed to the conveyorA belt, the gravity travel of the bases'on the track and the overliow means,

Figure 3 isa cross-section along the line 3--3 of Figure 2 and shows the structure of a portion of the gravity track;

Figure 4 is a cross-section alongli-ll oi FigV`` ure Zand shows aportion of the overflow means;`

Figure 5 is a section along 5-5 of Figure 2 and depicts another portion of the gravity track adjacent the conveyor belt Y Figure 6 is a sectonthrough i `of Figure l and is intended to illustrate the angular dis position of the conveyor belt from the vertical Q and the agitating means thereon;

which it will be held on and carried by the belt,

' 3 while Figure 8 shows an improper position of the object on the belt which will result in the object falling therefrom;

Figure 9 shows partly in section the device of the invention for securing a rotational orientation of the objects carried by the conveyor system; Y

Figure 10 shows a View along the line lt-lii of Figure 9 and depicts the top of the turret forzn.

ing part of the rotational orienting means;

Figure 11 is a section along Ii--H of Figure.

Y necessity of also orienting the base.

10 and shows the stepped or oset walls of theY j object receivers of the turret;

Figure 12 is a view from the top of an element of the rotational orienting means that serves to engage a protrusion on the object being oriented such as the locating lug of a tube base having a raised key; y

Figure 13 is a view partly in section along the line 'I3-I3 of Figure 12 andshows a feature of the Velement 4of'Fi'gure y12 for securing a shockfree engagement between saidelement and the key on the llocating lug of the tube stern;r

Figure 14. shows a bottom view'fof the `turret along the lines MLM of Figure 9 and illustrates the association of =a track with the turret for receiving objects from the turret;

Figure 15 is a'section along l5-45 of Figure 14 and shows the `manner. in which the track engages a tube stem; 1

Figure 16 is a, section along 16e-1li? of Figure 15 and indicates the relation between lthe track bars and the contact pins of-the tube stern;

Figure 17 is' a transverse section of -a track of the invention showing a modified -formfof track; .l

and

Figure A18 is a bottom view jof PFigure 17.

The hopper and conveyor system of the -inventionfmay be described broadly as comprising a hopper for random receipt of objects and a conveyor having two object orienting devices for acting on said lobjects-in a manner to orient them in two perpendicular planes. l j

Although the invention can be adapted for use in connection with many diiferently shaped objects, for convenience it will ybe described solely in association with electron tube bases having a disc-shaped form with one face substantially flat and the other face -havingfal plurality of contact prongs extending therefrom.

Referring to Figure 1, objects such as bases 2S are received in a randomV manner by hopper v2! and are picked up by/belt 22zwith their fiat faces lying against the belt.r To facilitate the picking up of the bases the belt is provided with agtators 27a extending from a surface-of the belt. The agita-tors serve to breakup vany organizationV of the bases that opposes transfer thereof to the belt. The bases'20 are' carried upwardly by the belt 22 to an opentrack 23 and a partially closed track 24 which delivers them to a further orienting device 25. This further orienting device rotates the bases onan axis normal totheir at faces until a reference means such as a particular contact prong lies in a desired radial direction from the center ofthe base.v After the'bases have beenoriented in twoV perpendicular planes they are sent to a further track 2S 'by which they areY carried to an operator for suitable action, such as dropping ametallic shielding member in the spaceY provided in the locating lug.

The work of the operator isconsiderably facilitated by the double orientation of the .bases provided for by the invention. Thus, the bases are presented Vto the operator with their ilatk faces,

Referring more in detail to the invention, the means for orienting the objects in a plane normal to their hat facesfwill now be described. As shown in Figure'sf, 7 and 8, belt 22 is disposed at an angle from-thevertical. The degree of angular displacement of belt 22 from the vertical is critical according to the invention, and is determined by the shape oflthe object to be handled. For examplein handling tube bases-it has been found that an angleof-about 25A degrees from.` thevertical represents a satisfactory inclinationV of the beltfor'thepurposes ofthe invention. VAs shown in Figure 7,V thisV angularinclination of the' belt 22 results ina retention of the base 20 by the belt when the flat unpronged face of 4the base lies against the belt'.` In'lthis caselth'e vertical line A, which passes through the center .of

gravity ofbase VQflies inwardly Yo'f-.the verticalV line B, passing through the lextremity .of 'supe port lprovided `by transverse-,support bars -or Vribs El on the belt. 'shown in Figures 2 .and T1, therefore, thefbase 20 is 'completely .supported by the belt 22, fthe transverse `ribZl l'and stop bar 28l lying adjacentan edge .of -thebeltfor restraining movementof the bases. Y This restraining function is required -ibecause'of the inclination `from the horizontal of A.the `transverse ribs 21`-on belt 22, the purpose of which Willb'e described hereinafter. 1

While the .position of the base. on the 4belt shown in Figure '7 results in an appropriate support for the basaltheposition of the base shown in Figure 8 resul-ts in'v a lack of such support and a consequent falling of the base from the belt.

The reason for the lack of support lin the position Vshown in'Figure 8 is'ft'heffact that vthe center of gravity of the base Il()4 represented Aby line A lies outside the extremity fof lthe.su-pportprovided by the transverse supporthar'Z represented by vertical line B. Y

The disposition: of lthe belt 22- at a -suitable` angle from the vertical `therefore assures receipt by it of` an vobjecti'na desired facerelationship to the belt.

This desired facefrelationshiplis preserved dur.- ing the subsequent travel'of t the objects toa ypoint of utilization'. Thus, asshownin FiguresA To permit Vsuch travel to ta-ke place in .this lorcation'there is disposed adjacent the .beltv a track 23 which i's also-inclined 25 Ydegrees from the horizontal so 4as-,to vbe in vlinewiththesupport bars 27 as'the front face of thebelt travels upwardly. Track 23- is Valsoinclined asshown in Figure 5, in line with the inclination of a -back l, wall of the hopper =2| and is=providedwith an onset supporting edge29-toaccommodate. theI However, above peripheral-congurationiof base 20. As the track` 23 extends `from belt 22 it becomes relatively thin at 23a, -the purpose -of which will become evident as i the description proceeds.

As shown in Figure l, the bases ll a Substantial space in the hopper 2l.` At the lower portion of the hopper the belt` 22 is exposed so that bases may be picked up by it. Bases picked up at the lower portionof the hopper are isolated from the bases ina higher level in the .hopperby a baiile plate 22a. Howevenit sometimes happens that travel of the belt 22 through the lower portion of the hopper and the supply `of bases, disposes the bases in certain organizations or patternsiwhich render it difficult, if not impossible, for the belt to pick them up.4 To overcome this diincultyrthere are provided, according to the invention, agitators comprising pins 2'Iaextending from the belt 22, as shown in Figures 1 and 6. These pins extend outwardly `from thebelt an appreciable `distance and when traveling through the supply of bases in the hopper will readily break up any undesirable disposition thereof. To permit clearance between the wall of the hopper 2l andthe pins 29a, slots 21a are providedzin said wall above 4and below the belt 22. Althoughinot shown, theslots 2 la below the belt are covered by a resilient pad of rubber or like material, which is provided with closed slots,

'that permit the pins 21a to force their way therethrough while preventing the passage o'f bases therethrough.

After base 2t completes its travel on track 23 it reaches a gap 39 provided by `track 23a and the space between tracks 23a and 24. The purpose of this gap is to serve las an overiiow means. Thus, if the feed of bases to track 24 is more rapid than the utilization thereof, the gap 30 which includes the narrowed track 23a permits bases that cannot be received by track 24, due to crowded conditions thereon, to fall back into the hopper. 'Ihe gap 30 is wider than a diameter of a` base to permit the bases to freely fall therethrough. The relatively thin portion 23a 4affords a relatively insecure `support for a base as shown in Figure 4 and inthe event the progress of the base ontrack 23a should be sloweddown or stopped in response to any cause suchfor example, as a protruding base onthe track 24the base will due to its `,insecure support. fall back into the hopper.

After traversing the gap 30 the bases are received by track 24. As shown in Figure 3, track` 24 includes rails 3l and 32 provided with retaining plates 33 and 34. The lower rail 32 is disposed with its .upper edge slightly below a straight-line continuation ofthe upper edge of track 23a to allow for a slight drop of the bases as they traverse the gap 30. The retaining plates 33 and 34 are provided to hold the bases on the track during their travel thereon.

It will be noted by reference to Figure 1 that track 24 receives the base 20 in an initial posi- 24 extending `backwardly of the .hopper are disposed with their prong `faces .extending donnwardly and are substantially entirely supported by the retaining plates 33` and 34. In this position the bases are transferred to a second orienting device 25.v

A rotating brush 36 having relatively rigid bristles impels thebases upon the end of the track 24 to ythe orienting `device or turret 25.

This orienting turret .is shown in more detail in Figures 9, l0, 11, l2, 13` and 14. Essentially it comprises an intermittently rotating turret having peripheral recess-31, provided with shoulder 58 .for receiving and supporting bases 2l) with the `prongedfaces of the bases turned downwardly` The turret 25 is connected to a suitablepower source not shown by which it is `given intermittent rotary motion whereby a recess 31 remains stationary adjacent the end of track 24 for a sufficient length of time to permit a 4base `to be .inserted in `the recess. `As shown in Figure 1i, this intermittent `movement of the turret resuit-s in a 'loading of all recesses between the track v24 and a track 26. When the bases reac position B9 on the turret they are fed `on to track with the prongs disposed in uniiorin radially oriented positions.

TheY means for radially orienting the bases is shown in detail in Figures 9, 12 and 13. This ,includes a cylindrical member having a longitudinal slot 4l at its upper tubular portion 42. Member 4t is supported for vertical movement and against rotation on base 43. Lever 44 engaging tionin which the bases are suitably supported i without the retaining plates 33A and 34. However, as travel of the bases continues, the track 24V disposs the bases in positions wherein they would fall from the track in the absence of the plates .t3 and34. Furthermore, while the position `of trackZ adjacent the gap utilizes the back wall` of hopper 2| in confining the movement of thebases, it will benoted that when the travel extends `through theback wall of the hopper through an aperture this back-wall supports lost.` The bases onthe portion of track pin 45 at the lower end of the member 46 may be actuated to causethe member to rise and receive the central lug 48 ofthe tube base 2i). However, the Alug 4t can only be i received by member 4t when the raised key 41 `on the lug is in line with the slot 4l onsaid member. And when so received the base 2t is suitably7 oriented rntationally Ordinarily the base 29 is not transferred to a recess in turret 25 in such a position that the kei7 4l entersthe slot 4l. Therefore, in accordance with the invention, means are employed to rotate the base to a rotational position wherein key il enters slot 4l. This means comprises a friction pad 48 of relatively soft and resilient material held at the end of 'a rod-like support 49. The support le is in turn held by support 55 for rotary movement only. Belt 5I engaging a pulley, not shown, gives rotary movement to support 48.

Normally, the support rod is constantly rotating. As a recess in turret 25 holding a tube base to be oriented is brought under the pad 4t, member 4t is raised to raise a base so that said pad engages theirelatively flat face of the base 2t. VContact between the base and the pad 43 will impart rotary motion to the base. The lever 44 having been actuated to urge the memberlli against the lower portion of the orienting key 47 on the lug 46, the rotation of the base will cause the key 4,7 to come into registry Vwith the slot 4l, and a force exerted on lever 44 will cause the lug 46 to enter the cylindrical space provided in the upper portion ofv member 4B. This will cause therotation of the base to stop because it has lost engagement with pad 48. As the member it is then lowered, the base, now properly rotationally oriented, is transferred to track 2t by'which it is delivered to a utilization point, not shown, where an operatorcan perform any suitable work on Athefbase such as inserting ashield member.' therein.` i

A bevel 4ta is provided on the'slot 4I to relieve the shock of suddenengagement of the lug 46 by the member 40. Y

As shown in Figures and 16, the track 26 includes 3 rails, 5, 55 and 56. As oriented rotationally by turret 25, the bases are disposed with their prongs in the manner shown in Figure 16. That is to say, when the bases reach the position 39 on the turret 25, their prongs will be so oriented that rail 55 will enter apath provided between prongs 51, 58 and 59, 60. This engagement of the rail by the base will assure a xed radial disposition oi the base on the track. A rotation of the base on the track is prevented in either direction. The track, however,.may be modified according to the invention to'accommodate'bases having any number of contact pins.

In Figures 17 and 18 is shown a modified form of track 26a having only two rails 62 and 63. This track as well as track 26 utilizes a bar 6I against which the upper face of the base bears, for preventing upward displacement of the base from the track. In this modication the rails 62, 63 pass between four pairs of prongs to iirmly hold the base 29 against rotation. This modification is preferred for actual prong bases.

Additional modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A conveyor system comprising means for agitating a random supply of objects, a belt extending into said supply and having transverse ribs for picking up said objects, and a plurality of tracks for conveying and orienting said objects in a predetermined manner, said means comprising pins extending outwardly from a face oi said belt a greater distance than said ribs.

2. A conveyor system for transporting objects from a hopper to a receiving station at predetermined rate and in comprising a movable endless belt having transverse ribs and extending into said hopper, said belt being inclined from the vertical by a predetermined angle, whereby said objects are successively picked up by said ribs, and means on said belt for agitating said objects in said hopper for providing an increased supply or" said objects to said belt.

3. A conveyor system including a hopper having an inclined side wall, a plurality of longitudinally inclined tracks extending inwardly of said hopper adjacent said side wall, a support for certain of said tracks, said support comprising an endless belt extending to a lower portion of said hopper whereby said certain of said tracks are adapted to pick up objects disposed in said lower portion of the hopper, stop means for preventing fall of objects picked up by said certain o1" said tracks, said stop means terminating at a location spaced from the top of said belt, another of said tracks disposed at said location, whereby said objects are free to roll from said certain of' said tracks to said another of said track to a utilization point.

4. A hopper comprising a receptacle for receiving a plurality-of round objects in random disposition, said receptacle having a relatively high wall inclined outwardly, and an elongated track mounted on said wall and parallel therewith, said track being inclined from the hori- Zontal, whereby said objects are caused to roll on said track to a utilization point, a longitudinal portion of said track being rectilinearly transversely movable to a lower portion ci said receptacle for picking up said objects therein and raising lthem to a position in registry with they remaining portion of said track, stop means adjacent said longitudinal portion lfor restraining rolling of said objects thereon, saidstop means extending Yto said remaining portion of said track, whereby said objects lare free to roll onto the last named portion of the track when raised from said receptacle. v

5. A conveyor for round objects comprising an elongated track havingv an upper surface inclined longitudinally and transversely, for retaining said objects therein and permitting said objects to roll therealong, a longitudinal portion of'said track being rectilinearly movable to pick up objects from a random supply of said objects and to agposition in registry with the remaining portion of said track, stop Vmeans engaging an end of said longitudinal portion for restraining rolling movement of said objects thereon, said stop means terminating at said remaining portion of the track, whereby said objects are free tol roll onto said remaining portion, said remaining portion including a narrowed portion for supporting said objects only when travelling thereon above a predetermined velocity, whereby said objects fall from said track when travelling below said predetermined velocity for releasing an over-supply of objects from saidtrack.

6. In a hopper for dispensing round .objects and having a lower portion for accommodating a random supply of said objects and an upper portion including receiving means for said objects, the improvement comprising a composite track for picking up objects from said random supply thereof, and delivering them in a predetermined oriented position and in a rolling movement to said receiving means, said composite track including a movable portion and a xed portion, said movable portion and fixed portion being inclined longitudinally by the same angular magnitude, a support for said movable portion for moving said movable portion in a predetermined plane from the lower portion of said hopper for picking up objects thereon, to the upper portion of the hopper, said xed portion of said track being disposed in said plane and adjacent to the path of travel of said movable portion and in the upper portion of said hopper, whereby said movable and fixed portions assume registry at said upper portion, said xed portion communicating with said receiving means, means for retaining a supply of said objects on said movable portion of the track, and'means on said fixed portion for releasing an oversupply of objects fed to said xed portion.

VILLIAM T. ENGEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 

